Electronic device, recording medium, and method of performing process at electronic device

ABSTRACT

An electronic device comprises an executing module, a display module, and a display controller. The display controller makes the display module display a first display screen containing information about execution of a certain function during execution. The executing module starts execution of a widget for making the display module display information included in the first display screen while the certain function is executed and thereafter when execution of the certain function is finished, the executing module finishes execution of the widget When the display controller makes the display module display a display screen different from the first display screen while the widget is executed, the display controller incorporates widget execution information into a partial region of the different display screen based on execution of the widget. The widget execution information includes at least part of the information on the first display screen.

The present application is a bypass continuation of internationalapplication PCT Application No. PCT/JP2013/071299, filed on Aug. 7,2013, entitled “ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND CONTROL PROGRAM, AND METHOD FOREXECUTING PROCESSES IN ELECTRONIC DEVICE”, which claims the benefit ofJapanese Application No. 2012-178142, filed on Aug. 10, 2012, entitled“ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND CONTROL PROGRAM, AND METHOD FOR EXECUTINGPROCESSES IN ELECTRONIC DEVICE”. The contents of which are incorporatedby reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an electronic device.

BACKGROUND

Various techniques have conventionally been suggested relating to anelectronic device.

SUMMARY

A device, a recording medium and a method are disclosed. In oneembodiment, an electronic device comprises an executing moduleconfigured to execute a program, a display module configured to displayinformation and a display controller configured to control the displaymodule. The display controller makes the display module display a firstdisplay screen containing information about execution of a certainfunction while the electronic device executes the certain function. Theexecuting module starts execution of a widget for making the displaymodule display information included the first display screen while thecertain function is executed and thereafter when execution of thecertain function is finished, the executing module finishes execution ofthe widget. When the display controller makes the display module displaya display screen different from the first display screen while thewidget is executed, the display controller incorporates widget executioninformation into a partial region of the different display screen basedon execution of the widget. The widget execution information includes atleast part of the information on the first display screen.

In one embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable recording mediumis configured to store a control program configured to control anelectronic device. The control program is configured to make theelectronic device execute a steps of (a) displaying a first displayscreen containing information about a certain function while the certainfunction is executed, (b) starting execution of a widget for displayinginformation included in the first display screen while the certainfunction is executed and thereafter when execution of the certainfunction is finished, finishing execution of the widget, and (c)incorporating widget execution information into a partial region of adisplay screen different from the first display screen based onexecution of the widget when the different display screen is displayedwhile the widget is executed. The widget execution information includesat least part of the information on the first display screen.

In one embodiment, a method of performing process at an electronicdevice comprises a steps of (a) displaying a first display screencontaining information about a certain function while the certainfunction is executed, (b) starting execution of a widget for displayinginformation included the first display screen while the certain functionis executed and thereafter when execution of the certain function isfinished, finishing execution of the widget, and (c) incorporatingwidget execution information into a partial region of a display screendifferent from the first display screen based on execution of the widgetwhen the different display screen is displayed while the widget isexecuted. The widget execution information includes at least part of theinformation on the first display screen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view showing the appearance of an electronicdevice.

FIG. 2 illustrates a back view showing the appearance of the electronicdevice.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram mainly showing the electricalstructure of the electronic device.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram showing the structure of a part of acontroller of the electronic device.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary display screen displayed on theelectronic device.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary display screen displayed on theelectronic device.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary display screen displayed on theelectronic device.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary display screen displayed on theelectronic device.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary display screen displayed on theelectronic device.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary display screen displayed on theelectronic device.

FIG. 11 illustrates how a user operates a display region of theelectronic device.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary display screen displayed on theelectronic device.

FIG. 13 illustrates how a user operates the display region of theelectronic device.

FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary display screen displayed on theelectronic device.

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary display screen displayed on theelectronic device.

FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary display screen displayed on theelectronic device.

FIG. 17 illustrates a flowchart showing the behavior of the electronicdevice.

FIG. 18 illustrates a flowchart showing the behavior of the electronicdevice.

FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary display screen displayed on theelectronic device.

FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary display screen displayed on theelectronic device.

FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary display screen displayed on theelectronic device.

FIG. 22 illustrates an exemplary display screen displayed on theelectronic device.

FIG. 23 illustrates an exemplary display screen displayed on theelectronic device.

FIG. 24 illustrates an exemplary display screen displayed on theelectronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION First Embodiment Appearance of Electronic Device

FIGS. 1 and 2 are a front view and a back view respectively showing theappearance of an electronic device 1 of a first embodiment. Theelectronic device 1 of this embodiment is for example a mobile phone andis capable of communicating with a different communication device via abase station, a server and the like. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, theelectronic device 1 includes a cover panel 2 and a case part 3. Thecover panel 2 and the case part 3 are assembled to form a device case 4having a substantially rectangular plate shape in a plan view.

The cover panel 2 is substantially rectangular in a plan view. The coverpanel 2 forms a part of the front of the electronic device 1 other thana peripheral portion thereof. The cover panel 2 is made of transparentglass or transparent acrylic resin, for example. The case part 3 formsthe peripheral portion of the front, the side, and the back of theelectronic device 1. The case part 3 is made of polycarbonate resin, forexample.

A display region 2 a in which various information including characters,symbols, and figures are displayed is formed in the front of the coverpanel 2. The display region 2 a is rectangular in a plan view, forexample. A peripheral part 2 b of the cover panel 2 surrounding thedisplay region 2 a is blackened by being covered with a film, forexample. Thus, the peripheral part 2 b becomes a non-display part whereno information is displayed. A touch panel 130 described later isaffixed to the back of the cover panel 2. A user can give variousinstructions to the electronic device 1 by operating the display region2 a in the front of the electronic device 1 for example with a finger.The user can also give various instructions to the electronic device 1by operating the display region 2 a with a contact part other than afinger such as a pen for a capacitive touch panel such as a stylus pen.

A home key 5 a, a menu key 5 b, and a back key 5 c are provided in thedevice case 4. Each of the home key 5 a, the menu key 5 b, and the backkey 5 c is a hardware key and has a surface exposed from the lower endof the front of the cover panel 2. The home key 5 a is an operation keyto be operated for displaying a home screen described later in thedisplay region 2 a. The menu key 5 b is an operation key to be operatedfor displaying an option menu screen. The back key 5 c is an operationkey to be operated for making display in the display region 2 a returnto the last display. When there is no particular reason fordistinguishing the home key 5 a, the menu key 5 b, and the back key 5 c,each of these keys will be called an “operation key 5.” Each of the homekey 5 a, the menu key 5 b, and the back key 5 c is not always requiredto be a hardware key but it may also be a software key which isdisplayed in the display region 2 a and a software key on which theoperation performed is detected in the touch panel 130.

A push-to-talk button 9 (hereinafter called a “PTT button 9”) isprovided in the device case 4. The electronic device 1 of thisembodiment is capable of making conversation using push to talk. A usercan transmit the voice of the user himself or herself to a conversationpartner by pressing the PTT button 9 while speaking.

A microphone hole 6 is formed in the lower end of the cover panel 2. Areceiver hole 7 is formed in the upper end of the cover panel 2. Animaging lens 191 of a front imaging module 190 described later isvisible via the upper end of the front of the cover panel 2. As shown inFIG. 2, speaker holes 8 are formed in the back of the electronic device1, namely, in the back of the device case 4. An imaging lens 201 of aback imaging module 200 described later is visible via the back of theelectronic device 1.

<Electrical Structure of Electronic Device>

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of theelectronic device 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the electronic device 1includes a controller 100, a radio communication module 110, a displaypanel 120, and a detecting module 150. The electronic device 1 furtherincludes a microphone 160, a receiver 170, an external speaker 180, thefront imaging module 190, the back imaging module 200, and a battery210. These components of the electronic device 1 are housed in thedevice case 4.

The controller 100 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 101, a DSP(digital signal processor) 102 and a storage 103, for example. Thecontroller 100 controls the other components of the electronic device 1to manage the behavior of the electronic device 1 in a centralizedmanner. The storage 103 is formed of a non-transitory recording mediumsuch as a ROM (read only memory) or a RAM (random access memory)readable by the electronic device 1 (CPU 101 and DSP 102). The storage103 may include a non-transitory computer-readable recording mediumother than a ROM and a RAM. The storage 103 may include a hard diskdrive, an SSD (solid state drive), or a USB (universal serial bus)memory, for example.

As shown in FIG. 4, the storage 103 stores a main program 103 a,multiple application programs 103 b and others. The main program 103 afunctions as a control program to control the behavior of the electronicdevice 1, specifically, to control all the components of the electronicdevice 1 including the radio communication module 110 and the displaypanel 120. Various functions of the controller 100 are realized by theCPU 101 and DSP 102 executing various programs in the storage 103. Inthe controller 100, executing the main program 103 a forms variousfunctional blocks as shown in FIG. 4 such as an executing module 100 ato execute the application programs 103 b and a display controller 100 bto control the display panel 120.

The radio communication module 110 has an antenna 111. The radiocommunication module 110 can receive a signal at the antenna 111transmitted via a base station and the like from a mobile phonedifferent from the electronic device 1 or a communication device such asa web server connected on the Internet. The radio communication module110 can amplify and down-convert the received signal and output theresultant received signal to the controller 100. The controller 100 canacquire an audio signal indicating voice, music or the like from thereceived signal input to the controller 100 by demodulating the receivedsignal, for example. The radio communication module 110 can up-convertand amplify a transmission signal including the audio signal or the likegenerated by the controller 100 and transmit the processed transmissionsignal by radio from the antenna 111. The transmission signal from theantenna 111 is received via the base station and the like by a mobilephone different from the electronic device 1 or a communication deviceconnected on the Internet.

The display panel 120 is a liquid crystal display panel or an organic ELpanel, for example. Under control by the display controller 100 b of thecontroller 100, various information including characters, symbols, andfigures are displayed on the display panel 120. Information displayed onthe display panel 120 appears in the display region 2 a in the front ofthe cover panel 2, so that this information becomes visible by a user ofthe electronic device 1.

The detecting module 150 can detect user's operation on the electronicdevice 1.

The detecting module 150 includes the touch panel 130 that can detectoperation on the display region 2 a of the cover panel 2 with a contactpart such as a finger, and a key operation detecting part 140 that candetect press of each operation key 5 and the PTT button 9 by a user.

The touch panel 130 is a projective capacitive touch panel, for example,and is affixed to the back of the cover panel 2. When a user performsoperation on the display region 2 a of the cover panel 2 with a contactpart such as a finger, a signal corresponding to that operation is inputfrom the touch panel 130 to the controller 100. Based on the signal fromthe touch panel 130, the controller 100 can specify the content of theoperation on the display region 2 a and perform process responsive tothe content.

The key operation detecting module 140 can detect whether each operationkey 5 is being pressed (operated). When the operation key 5 is not beingpressed, the key operation detecting module 140 outputs a non-operationsignal indicating that this operation key 5 is not being operated to thecontroller 100. When the operation key 5 is being pressed, the keyoperation detecting module 140 outputs an operation signal indicatingthat this operation key 5 is being operated to the controller 100. Inthis way, the controller 100 is allowed to determine whether eachoperation key 5 is being operated. Further, when the PTT button 9 is notbeing pressed, the key operation detecting module 140 outputs anon-operation signal indicating that the PTT button 9 is not beingoperated to the controller 100. When the PTT button 9 is being pressed,the key operation detecting module 140 outputs an operation signalindicating that the PTT button 9 is being operated to the controller100. In this way, the controller 100 is allowed to determine whether thePTT button 9 is being operated.

When the key operation detecting module 140 detects press of the homekey 5 a and then detects release of the home key 5 a from the press, thedisplay controller 100 b of the controller 100 makes the display panel120 display a home screen (initial screen). As a result, the home screenis displayed in the display region 2 a. When the key operation detectingmodule 140 detects press of the menu key 5 b and then detects release ofthe menu key 5 b from the press, the display controller 100 b makes thedisplay panel 120 display an option menu screen. As a result, the optionmenu screen is displayed in the display region 2 a. When the keyoperation detecting module 140 detects press of the back key 5 c andthen detects release of the back key 5 c from the press, the displaycontroller 100 b makes the display panel 120 go back to the lastdisplay. As a result, the last display appears again in the displayregion 2 a.

The microphone 160 can convert sound input from outside the electronicdevice 1 to an electrical sound signal and output the sound signal tothe controller 100. The sound from outside the electronic device 1 iscaptured into the electronic device 1 via the microphone hole 6 formedin the front of the cover panel 2 and is then input to the microphone160.

The external speaker 180 is a dynamic speaker, for example. The externalspeaker 180 can convert an electrical sound signal from the controller100 to sound and output the sound. The sound from the external speaker180 is output to the outside via the speaker holes 8 formed in the backof the electronic device 1. The sound output via the speaker holes 8 canbe heard in a place distanced from the electronic device 1.

The front imaging module 190 is formed of the imaging lens 191, animaging element and the like. Under control by the controller 100, thefront imaging module 190 can pick up a still image and moving images. Asshown in FIG. 1, the imaging lens 191 is provided on the front of theelectronic device 1. Thus, the front imaging module 190 can pick up animage of an object on the front side (on the side of the cover panel 2)of the electronic device 1.

The back imaging module 200 is formed of the imaging lens 201, animaging element and the like. Under control by the controller 100, theback imaging module 200 can pick up a still image and moving images. Asshown in FIG. 2, the imaging lens 201 is provided on the back of theelectronic device 1. Thus, the back imaging module 200 can pick up animage of an object on the back side of the electronic device 1.

The receiver 170 is to output receiving sound and is formed of a dynamicspeaker, for example. The receiver 170 can convert an electrical soundsignal from the controller 100 to sound and outputs the sound. The soundfrom the receiver 170 is output to the outside via the receiver hole 7formed in the front of the electronic device 1. The volume of the soundoutput via the receiver hole 7 is smaller than that of sound output viathe speaker holes 8.

The battery 210 can output a power source for the electronic device 1.The power source output from the battery 210 is supplied to variouselectronic components provided for example in the controller 100 and theradio communication module 110 of the electronic device 1.

The storage 103 can store various application programs 103 b(hereinafter simply called applications 103 b″). The storage 103 canstore a telephone application for conversation by using a telephonefunction, a PTT application for conversation using push to talk(hereinafter called “PTT conversation”), a browser for display of a website, and a mail application for generating, browsing, and transmittingand receiving an electronic message, for example. The storage 103further can store a television application for viewing and recording atelevision program, a music reproduction control application forreproduction control of music data stored in the storage 103, an accesspoint application for making the electronic device 1 function as anaccess point of a wireless LAN (local area network), and a wireless LANapplication for making the electronic device 1 communicate via an accesspoint of a wireless LAN, for example.

The storage 103 can store not only an application 103 b for achievinghigh functionality such as the aforementioned telephone application orPTT application but also an application 103 b for achieving lowfunctionality called a “widget.” The widget includes one that makes partof a function realized as a result of execution of an application run ina simplified manner while restricting the part of the function. As anexample, according to such a widget, information to be displayed as aresult of execution of an application appears partially.

When the controller 100 reads an application 103 b from the storage 103and executes the read application 103 b while executing the main program103 a in the storage 103, different components of the electronic device1 including the radio communication module 110, the display panel 120,and the receiver 170 are put under control by the controller 100. As aresult, a function (process) corresponding to the executed application103 b is carried out by the electronic device 1. As an example, thecontroller 100 executing the telephone application controls the radiocommunication module 110, the microphone 160, and the receiver 170. As aresult, in the electronic device 1, voice in a received signal receivedby the radio communication module 110 is output from the receiver 170and a transmission signal including voice input to the microphone 160 istransmitted from the radio communication module 110, thereby makingconversation with a communication partner device using the telephonefunction.

<Type of Operation on Display Region>

Operation performed by a user on the display region 2 a includes a slideoperation, a tap operation and a flick operation, for example.

The slide operation means moving of a contact part such as a fingerwhile the contact part contacts the display region 2 a. By performingthe slide operation on the display region 2 a, a user can scroll displayin the display region 2 a or change a page being displayed in thedisplay region 2 a to a different page.

The tap operation means operation in which a contact part contacts thedisplay region 2 a and depart from the display region 2 a immediatelythereafter. More specifically, the tap operation means operation inwhich the contact part contacts the display region 2 a in some positionand depart from the display region 2 a in the same position within agiven time. By performing the tap operation on the display region 2 a, auser can select an icon for executing an application 103 b (hereinaftercalled an “application icon”) displayed in the display region 2 a andexecute this application 103 b, for example.

The flick operation means operation of sweeping the display region 2 awith a contact part. More specifically, the flick operation meansoperation in which the time period from the contact part contacting thedisplay region 2 a until the contact part departing from the displayregion 2 is a given time or less while a moving distance from thecontact part contacting the display region 2 a until the contact partdeparting from the display region 2 is a given distance or more. Byperforming the flick operation on the display region 2 a, a user canscroll display in the display region 2 a in a direction of the flickoperation or change a page being displayed in the display region 2 a toa different page.

<Control of Display on Electronic Device>

<Home Screen>

As described above, in the electronic device 1, the home screen isdisplayed in the display region 2 a in response to operation on the homekey 5 a. Specifically, when the key operation detecting module 140detects operation on the home key 5 a instructing display of the homescreen, the display controller 100 b makes the display panel 120 displaythe home screen.

The home screen mentioned herein is formed of multiple page screens 300that can be switched and displayed in turn. In this embodiment, the homescreen is formed of five page screens 300, for example. In response tooperation on the home key 5 a, one of the five page screens 300 isdisplayed in the display region 2 a. In response to user's operation onthe electronic device 1 to switch the home screen, the multiple pagescreens 300 are switched and displayed in turn in the display region 2a. In the below, the five page screens 300 forming the home screen arecalled first to fifth page screens 300 respectively.

In this embodiment, in response to operation on the home key 5 a, thefirst page screen 300 out of the first to fifth page screens 300 of thehome screen is displayed first in the display region 2 a. When a userperforms the slide operation or the flick operation on the displayregion 2 a to the right with a contact part such as a finger while thefirst page screen 300 is displayed in the display region 2 a, the secondpage screen 300 appears in the display region 2 a. When the userperforms the slide operation or the flick operation on the displayregion 2 a to the left while the first page screen 300 is displayed inthe display region 2 a, the third page screen 300 appears in the displayregion 2 a.

When the user performs the slide operation or the flick operation on thedisplay region 2 a to the right while the second page screen 300 isdisplayed in the display region 2 a, the fourth page screen 300 appearsin the display region 2 a. When the user performs the slide operation orthe flick operation on the display region 2 a to the left while thesecond page screen 300 is displayed in the display region 2 a, the firstpage screen 300 appears in the display region 2 a.

When the user performs the slide operation or the flick operation on thedisplay region 2 a to the right while the third page screen 300 isdisplayed in the display region 2 a, the first page screen 300 appearsin the display region 2 a. When the user performs the slide operation orthe flick operation on the display region 2 a to the left while thethird page screen 300 is displayed in the display region 2 a, the fifthpage screen 300 appears in the display region 2 a.

In this way, in response to user's slide operation and the like to theleft or to the right on the display region 2 a, the multiple pagescreens 300 are switched and displayed in turn in the display region 2a. User's slide operation and the like to the right on the displayregion 2 a allows turning to a left page screen 300. User's slideoperation and the like to the left on the display region 2 a allowsturning to a right page screen 300.

FIG. 5 shows one of the five page screens 300 forming the home screendisplayed in the display region 2 a (display panel 120). As shown inFIG. 5, one page screen 300 is formed of a first region 310, a secondregion 320, and a third region 400.

The content of display (display information) in the first region 310 iscommon to the first to fifth page screens 300. Specifically, the firstregion 310 is a region where the content of display therein is notchanged by switching of a screen between the first to fifth page screens300. Only an application icon 250 is arranged in the first region 310.Up to five application icons 250 can be arranged in the first region310. A user arranges an application icon 250 in the first region 310 forexecuting an application 103 b to be used frequently.

The content of display in the second region 320 differs between thefirst to fifth page screens 300. Up to 16 application icons 250 can bearranged in the second region 320. The second region 320 can include notonly an application icon 250 but also widget execution information to bedisplayed on the page screen 300 in response to execution of a widget.

The second region 320 is partitioned into multiple block regionsarranged in a matrix. In the second region 320 of this embodiment, fourblock regions are juxtaposed in the row direction (horizontal direction)and four block regions are juxtaposed in the column direction (verticaldirection). Thus, the second region 320 is partitioned into 16 blockregions. In the second region 320, one application icon 250 can bearranged only in one bock region. This allows arrangement of up to 16application icons 250 in the second region 320.

Widget execution information is to be displayed in the second region 320in a size that can be determined in units of block regions. As anexample, the widget execution information may be displayed in a sizecorresponding to one block region in terms of the column direction andfour block regions in terms of the row direction.

Alternatively, the widget execution information may be displayed in asize corresponding to two block regions in terms of the column directionand two block regions in terms of the row direction. In the secondregion 320, the widget execution information is to be displayed in asize corresponding to X block regions (X≧1) in terms of the columndirection and Y block regions (Y≧1) in terms of the row direction. Inthis case, the arrangement of this widget execution information in termsof the column direction is allowed only within the X block regionsjuxtaposed in the column direction and the arrangement of this widgetexecution information in terms of the row direction is allowed onlywithin the Y block regions juxtaposed in the row direction.

Superimposing multiple application icons 250 is not allowed in thesecond region 320. Superimposing an application icon 250 and widgetexecution information is not allowed in the second region 320.Superimposing multiple pieces of widget execution information is notallowed in the second region 320.

In the below, the size of a region covering X block regions in thecolumn direction and Y block regions in the row direction will be calledan “X×Y size” in some cases.

The third region 400 is a region that is always included on a displayscreen in the display region 2 a (display panel 120) even if a displayscreen in the display region 2 a is switched. Specifically, the thirdregion 400 is a region that is always included on any display screen inthe display region 2 a (display panel 120). The third region 400 is aregion to notify a user of the condition of the electronic device 1 andcontains information indicating the condition of the electronic device1. In one example of FIG. 5, the third region 400 includes a currenttime 401 measured by the electronic device 1, an icon (FIG. 402indicating a remaining battery level, an icon (FIG. 403 indicating acommunication condition, an icon (FIG. 404 indicating the presence of anew mail, and an icon (FIG. 405 indicating the presence of a missedcall. In the below, the third region 400 will be called a “devicecondition notifying region 400.”

Switching between the page screens 300 (turning over the page screens)by a user on the aforementioned home screen makes the user feel thatonly the content displayed in the second region 320 is switched.

In response to user's operation to select an application icon 250displayed in the display region 2 a, the executing module 100 a of thecontroller 100 reads an application 103 b corresponding to this selectedapplication icon 250 from the storage 103 and executes the readapplication 103 b. The application icon 250 can be selected by operationsuch as the tap operation on the display region 2 a, for example.

<Display Screen During the Course of PTT Conversation>

FIG. 6 shows a PTT conversation screen 500 displayed in the displayregion 2 a (display panel 120) immediately after the electronic device 1starts PTT conversation. The electronic device 1 can make PTTconversation with one or multiple conversation partner terminals.

To make PTT conversation, a user performs operation to select anapplication icon 250 displayed in the display region 2 a correspondingto the PTT application. In response, the executing module 100 a executesthe PTT application. Then, the user operates the display region 2 a toinput the number of a conversation partner terminal or the number of agroup of conversation partners. Next, in response to press of the PTTbutton 9 by the user, the electronic device 1 starts PTT conversationwith one conversation partner terminal or with multiple conversationpartner terminals belonging to one group. During the course of the PTTconversation, the user can transmit voice of the user himself or herselfto a conversation partner while pressing the PTT button 9.

The user can start the PTT conversation by referring a phone bookwithout selecting the application icon 250 corresponding to the PTTapplication. In response to given operation on the display region 2 a bythe user, the phone book in the storage 103 is displayed in the displayregion 2 a. The user operates the display region 2 a to display thenumber of a conversation partner terminal or the number of a group ofconversation partners in the phone book. Then, the user performsoperation on the display region 2 a to select the number of theconversation partner terminal or the number of the group of conversationpartners. Next, in response to press of the PTT button 9 by the user,the executing module 100 a executes the PTT application. This makes theelectronic device 1 start PTT conversation with one conversation partnerterminal or with multiple conversation partner terminals belonging toone group.

After the electronic device 1 starts the PTT conversation, the PTTconversation screen 500 of FIG. 6 is displayed in the display region 2a. The PTT conversation screen 500 contains information about the PTTconversation currently made.

As shown in FIG. 6, the PTT conversation screen 500 is formed of theaforementioned device condition notifying region 400, a screen typenotifying region 510, a conversation condition notifying region 520, anda setting region 530. The screen type notifying region 510 includes acharacter string notifying that a display screen in the display region 2a is the PTT conversation screen 500.

The conversation condition notifying region 520 contains information ofvarious types for notifying a user of a current condition of PTTconversation. The conversation condition notifying region 520 includes aname 521 of a conversation partner registered with the phone book, animage 522 registered with the phone book in association with theconversation partner (such as a photograph image of the face of a userof a conversation partner terminal), and a PTT conversation duration523. While the electronic device 1 makes PTT conversation with oneconversation partner terminal, the name of a user of this conversationpartner terminal generally appears as the name 521 in the conversationcondition notifying region 520. While the electronic device 1 makes PTTconversation with multiple conversation partner terminals belonging toone group, the name of this group appears as the name 521 in theconversation condition notifying region 520.

The conversation condition notifying region 520 further includes animage 524 showing a current condition of the right to speak (called the“floor”) in PTT conversation, a name 525 of a terminal currently havingthe floor (generally, the name of a user of this terminal) registeredwith the phone book, and an image 526 registered with the phone book inassociation with the terminal currently having the floor. In one exampleof FIG. 6, the image 524 in the conversation condition notifying region520 shows that a terminal other than the electronic device 1 has thefloor. When the electronic device 1 has the floor, a character string inthe center of the image 524 becomes “Talking.” In the absence of aterminal having the floor, a character string in the center of the image524 becomes “Open.”

The setting region 530 includes a finish button 531 for finishing PTTconversation, a conversation partner adding button 532 for adding aconversation partner, a switchover button 533 for switching PTTconversation to conversation using a telephone function, and a settingbutton 534 for determining whether a communication function adoptingBluetooth (registered trademark) is to be used for PTT conversation. Thesetting button 534 includes an ON button 534 b for determining that thecommunication function adopting Bluetooth is to be used and an OFFbutton 534 a for determining that the communication function adoptingBluetooth is not to be used. A user can finish PTT conversation byperforming the tap operation on the finish button 531. Specifically,when the detecting module 150 detects the tap operation on the finishbutton 531, the electronic device 1 finishes PTT conversation.

<Display Control During Switching from PTT Conversation Screen toDifferent Screen>

In the electronic device 1 of this embodiment, when the displaycontroller 100 b makes the display panel 120 display a display screendifferent from the PTT conversation screen 500 during the course of PTTconversation, the display controller 100 b incorporates information onthe PTT conversation screen 500 into a partial region of this differentdisplay screen. Specifically, when a display screen different from thePTT conversation screen 500 is displayed in the display region 2 a whilethe electronic device 1 makes PTT conversation, part of information onthe PTT conversation screen 500 is incorporated into a partial region ofthis different display screen.

FIG. 7 shows switching of display in the display region 2 a (displaypanel 120) from the PTT conversation screen 500 to the first page screen300 of the home screen while the electronic device 1 makes PTTconversation.

When a user operates the home key 5 a while the PTT conversation screen500 is displayed in the display region 2 a, the display controller 100 bswitches display on the display panel 120 from the PTT conversationscreen 500 to the first page screen 300 of the home screen. Thisswitches display in the display region 2 a from the PTT conversationscreen 500 to the first page screen 300.

When display in the display region 2 a is switched from the PTTconversation screen 500 to the first page screen 300, part ofinformation on the PTT conversation screen 500 is incorporated into thedevice condition notifying region 400 of this first page screen 300. Asan example, information about a current condition of the floor in PTTconversation, of all the information included in the PTT conversationscreen 500, is incorporated into the device condition notifying region400 of the first page screen 300.

In this embodiment, for a few seconds after display in the displayregion 2 a (display panel 120) is switched from the PTT conversationscreen 500 to the first page screen 300, the current time 401 and theicons 402 to 405 having been displayed disappear from the devicecondition notifying region 400 of this first page screen 300. Instead,an icon (FIG. 410 and a character string 420 indicating the condition ofthe floor in PTT conversation both appear in the device conditionnotifying region 400 of this first page screen 300. After an elapse ofthe few seconds after display in the display region 2 a is switched fromthe PTT conversation screen 500 to the first page screen 300, thecharacter string 411 disappears and the icon 410 appears together withthe current time 401 and the icons 402 to 405 in the device conditionnotifying region 400 of this first page screen 300.

FIG. 7 shows the first page screen 300 displayed when the few secondshave not elapsed after display in the display region 2 a is switchedfrom the PTT conversation screen 500 to this first page screen 300 whilea terminal other than the electronic device 1 has the floor. A blackcircle indicating that the terminal other than the electronic device 1has the floor appears as the icon 410 in the device condition notifyingregion 400 of this first page screen 300. A character string indicatingthat the terminal other than the electronic device 1 has the floorappears as the character string 420 in the device condition notifyingregion 400 of this first page screen 300. This character string 420includes the name of the terminal currently having the floor (in oneexample of FIG. 7, “yyyy yyyy”).

FIG. 8 shows the first page screen 300 displayed when the few secondshave not elapsed after display in the display region 2 a is switchedfrom the PTT conversation screen 500 to this first page screen 300 whileno terminal has the floor (while no one has the floor). A white circleindicating that no terminal has the floor appears as the icon 410 in thedevice condition notifying region 400 of this first page screen 300. Acharacter string indicating that no terminal has the floor appears asthe character string 420 in the device condition notifying region 400 ofthis first page screen 300.

FIG. 9 shows the first page screen 300 displayed when the few secondshave not elapsed after display in the display region 2 a is switchedfrom the PTT conversation screen 500 to this first page screen 300 whilethe electronic device 1 has the floor. A white triangle indicating thatthe electronic device 1 has the floor appears as the icon 410 in thedevice condition notifying region 400 of this first page screen 300. Acharacter string indicating that the electronic device 1 has the floorappears as the character string 420 in the device condition notifyingregion 400 of this first page screen 300.

FIG. 10 shows the first page screen 300 displayed after the few secondshave elapsed after display in the display region 2 a is switched fromthe PTT conversation screen 500 to this first page screen 300 while aterminal other than the electronic device 1 has the floor. A blackcircle indicating that the terminal other than the electronic device 1has the floor appears as the icon 410 in the device condition notifyingregion 400 of this first page screen 300 together with the current time401 and the icons 402 to 405 having been displayed before switching ofdisplay in the display region 2 a to this first page screen 300. Thecharacter string 411 is not present in the device condition notifyingregion 400 of this first page screen 300.

The icon 410 in the device condition notifying region 400 changes inresponse to change in the condition of the floor in PTT conversation. Asan example, in response to change from a condition where there is noterminal having the floor to a condition where the electronic device 1has the floor, the icon 410 in the device condition notifying region 400changes from a white circle to a white triangle.

After the icon 410 appears in the device condition notifying region 400,as long as PTT conversation continues, the icon 410 is always present inthe device condition notifying region 400 on a display screen in thedisplay region 2 a independently of display in the display region 2 a.

Even if a browser is executed and a display screen containing a web pageis displayed in the display region 2 a during the course of PTTconversation, for example, the icon 410 is still present in the devicecondition notifying region 400 of this display screen. Even if a mailapplication is started and a display screen for creating a mail isdisplayed in the display region 2 a during the course of PTTconversation, the icon 410 is still present in the device conditionnotifying region 400 of this display screen. Even if a televisionapplication is executed and a display screen containing images of atelevision program is displayed in the display region 2 a during thecourse of PTT conversation, the icon 410 is still present in the devicecondition notifying region 400 of this display screen.

When the PTT conversation screen 500 is displayed in the display region2 a after the icon 410 appears in the device condition notifying region400, the icon 410 can be omitted from the device condition notifyingregion 400 of this PTT conversation screen 500.

In the electronic device 1, when the finish button 531 on the PTTconversation screen 500 is operated to finish PTT conversation, the icon410 disappears from the device condition notifying region 400.

<Pull-Down Display of Device Condition>

In this embodiment, in response to given operation on the devicecondition notifying region 400 in the display region 2 a, the conditionof the electronic device 1 is displayed in a pull-down manner inassociation with information in this device condition notifying region400. When the detecting module 150 detects operation to pull down thedevice condition notifying region 400, specifically downward slideoperation on the display region 2 a starting from the device conditionnotifying region 400, the display controller 100 b makes the displaypanel 120 display a notifying screen 600 containing information aboutthe condition of the electronic device 1. As a result, the notifyingscreen 600 is displayed in the display region 2 a. FIG. 11 shows how auser performs the downward slide operation on the display region 2 astarting from the device condition notifying region 400 with a finger550.

FIG. 12 shows an example of the notifying screen 600. A region of thenotifying screen 600 except the device condition notifying region 400 isdisplayed so as to extend downward gradually (in a pull-down manner) inresponse to the downward slide operation on the display region 2 a.

The notifying screen 600 of FIG. 12 includes a current date 620 measuredby the electronic device 1. The notifying screen 600 further includesconversation relating information 610 relating to PTT conversationcurrently made. The conversation relating information 610 containsinformation included in the PTT conversation screen 500. Morespecifically, the conversation relating information 610 includes acharacter string 611 for notifying a user of the fact that thisconversation relating information 610 is about PTT conversation, a name612 of a conversation partner registered with the phone book, an image613 registered with the phone book in association with the conversationpartner, and a PTT conversation duration 614.

Although not shown in FIG. 12, the notifying screen 600 containsinformation shown in a form such as a character string indicating thepresence of a new mail in association with the icon 404 in the devicecondition notifying region 400. The notifying screen 600 furthercontains information shown in a form such as a character stringindicating the presence of a missed call in association with the icon405 in the device condition notifying region 400.

<Redisplay of PTT Conversation Screen>

When a user selects the conversation relating information 610 on thenotifying screen 600, the PTT conversation screen 500 is redisplayed inthe display region 2 a. More specifically, when the detecting module 150detects operation to select the conversation relating information 610 onthe notifying screen 600 such as the tap operation, the displaycontroller 100 b switches display on the display panel 120 from thenotifying screen 600 to the PTT conversation screen 500. This switchesdisplay in the display region 2 a from the notifying screen 600 to thePTT conversation screen 500 to redisplay the PTT conversation screen500. FIG. 13 shows how a user performs the tap operation on theconversation relating information 610 of the notifying screen 600 with afinger 550.

In this embodiment, when the PTT button 9 is operated during the courseof PTT conversation while a display screen other than the PTTconversation screen 500 is displayed in the display region 2 a, the PTTconversation screen 500 is redisplayed in the display region 2 a.

When an application icon 250 shown in the display region 2 acorresponding to the PTT application is performed the tap operationduring the course of PTT conversation, the PTT conversation screen 500is redisplayed in the display region 2 a.

While a display screen different from the PTT conversation screen 500 isdisplayed during the course of PTT conversation, the PTT conversationscreen 500 may be redisplayed in response to the tap operation on thedevice condition notifying region 400 in this different display screen.

As described above, in this embodiment, when a display screen differentfrom the PTT conversation screen 500 is displayed while the electronicdevice 1 makes PTT conversation, part of information on this PTTconversation screen 500 is incorporated into a partial region of thisdifferent display screen. Thus, even if the home screen is displayed ora different display screen is displayed as a result of execution of adifferent application 103 b during the course of the PTT conversation, auser can still check information about the PTT conversation. In theaforementioned one example, the user not only can see the fact that thePTT conversation is currently made but also can check a currentcondition of the floor in the PTT conversation. This can prevent theuser from failing to check information about PTT conversation while theuser makes this PTT conversation.

In this embodiment, the device condition notifying region 400 to displayinformation on the PTT conversation screen 500 is a region alwaysincluded on a display screen in the display region 2 a (display panel120) even if this display screen in the display region 2 a is switched.This can prevent the user from failing to check information about PTTconversation further while the user makes this PTT conversation.

The character string 420 is not always displayed in the device conditionnotifying region 400 while a display screen other than the PTTconversation screen 500 is displayed. This allows this device conditionnotifying region 400 to contain different information.

When a display screen different from the PTT conversation screen 500 isdisplayed during the course of PTT conversation, the icon (FIG. 410appears in the device condition notifying region 400. This can preventfailing to check information about PTT conversation while confining aregion to be occupied by information relating to the PTT conversation inthe device condition notifying region 400.

The foregoing description proceeds while PTT conversation is given as anexample. The foregoing description is further applicable to execution ofa different function. For example, while the television application isexecuted and a television program is recorded, when a display screen(such as a display screen including the home screen or a web page)different from a television recording screen containing informationabout the recording (such as the name of the recorded program or achannel broadcasting the recorded program, for example) is displayed,information on this television recording screen is incorporated into apartial region of this different display screen. Even if a displayscreen different from a television recording screen is displayed while atelevision program is being recorded, this allows a user to checkinformation about the recording being done.

Second Embodiment

In a second embodiment, while a display screen different from the PTTconversation screen 500 is displayed during the course of PTTconversation, a widget is executed and at least part of information onthe PTT conversation screen 500 is included in a part of this differentdisplay screen. Even if a displayed screen is different from the PTTconversation screen 500, this still allows a user to check informationon the PTT conversation screen 500. Control of display on the electronicdevice 1 of this embodiment is described below in detail. The followingdescription is mainly intended for a difference from the firstembodiment described above.

FIG. 14 shows the first page screen 300 of the home screen appearing inresponse to switching from the PTT conversation screen 500 to this firstpage screen 300. When the detecting module 150 detects operation on thehome key 5 a while the PTT conversation screen 500 is displayed in thedisplay region 2 a, the executing module 100 a executes a widget fordisplaying information on the PTT conversation screen 500 (hereinaftercalled a “PTT widget”) while the display controller 100 b switchesdisplay on the display panel 120 from the PTT conversation screen 500 tothe first page screen 300. As a result, display in the display region 2a is switched from the PTT conversation screen 500 to the first pagescreen 300. The PTT widget is executed only during the course of PTTconversation.

Like in the first embodiment, after display in the display region 2 a isswitched from the PTT conversation screen 500 to the first page screen300, information about a current condition of the floor in the PTTconversation is incorporated into the device condition notifying region400 of this first page screen 300.

In this embodiment, for a few seconds after display in the displayregion 2 a is switched from the PTT conversation screen 500 to the firstpage screen 300, the current time 401 and the icons 402 to 405 havingbeen displayed also disappear from the device condition notifying region400 of this first page screen 300. Instead, the icon (FIG. 410 and thecharacter string 420 both appear in the device condition notifyingregion 400 of this first page screen 300. After an elapse of the fewseconds after display in the display region 2 a is switched from the PTTconversation screen 500 to the first page screen 300, the characterstring 411 disappears and the icon 410 appears together with the currenttime 401 and the icons 402 to 405 in the device condition notifyingregion 400 of this first page screen 300.

In this embodiment, PTT widget execution information 700 is arranged ina part of one of the multiple page screens 300 forming the home screen.The PTT widget execution information 700 is widget execution informationdetermined based on execution of the PTT widget. More specifically, thePTT widget execution information 700 is arranged in the second region320 of the page screen 300. FIG. 14 shows the PTT widget executioninformation 700 arranged in the second region 320 of the first pagescreen 300. The PTT widget execution information 700 may be arranged ona page screen 300 other than the first page screen 300, as will bedescribed later.

The PTT widget execution information 700 contains at least part ofinformation on the PTT conversation screen 500. In this embodiment, thePTT widget execution information 700 is to be displayed in a size 2×4,for example. As shown in FIG. 14, the PTT widget execution information700 includes a name 701 of a conversation partner registered with thephone book, and an image 702 registered with the phone book inassociation with the conversation partner, for example. The PTT widgetexecution information 700 further includes an icon 703 indicating acurrent condition of the floor in PTT conversation, a character string704 indicating a current condition of the floor in the PTT conversation,and a PTT conversation duration 705.

FIG. 14 shows the PTT widget execution information 700 displayed while aterminal other than the electronic device 1 has the floor. This PTTwidget execution information 700 includes a black circle as the icon 703indicating that the terminal other than the electronic device 1 has thefloor. This PTT widget execution information 700 further includes acharacter string as the character string 704 indicating that theterminal other than the electronic device 1 has the floor. The characterstring 704 indicating that the terminal other than the electronic device1 has the floor may be the name of the terminal (in one example of FIG.14, “yyyy yyyy”) currently having the floor displayed in the displayregion 2 a, for example.

FIG. 15 shows the PTT widget execution information 700 displayed whileno terminal has the floor. This PTT widget execution information 700includes a white circle as the icon 703 indicating that no terminal hasthe floor. This PTT widget execution information 700 further includes acharacter string as the character string 704 indicating that no terminalhas the floor. The character string 704 indicating that no terminal hasthe floor may be a character string such as “Open” displayed in thedisplay region 2 a, for example.

FIG. 16 shows the PTT widget execution information 700 displayed whilethe electronic device 1 has the floor. This PTT widget executioninformation 700 includes a white triangle as the icon 703 indicatingthat the electronic device 1 has the floor. This PTT widget executioninformation 700 further includes a character string as the characterstring 704 indicating that the electronic device 1 has the floor. Thecharacter string 704 indicating that the electronic device 1 has thefloor may be a character string such as “Me” displayed in the displayregion 2 a, for example.

The icon 703 and the character string 704 in the PTT widget executioninformation 700 change in response to change in the condition of thefloor in PTT conversation. As an example, in response to change from acondition where there is no terminal having the floor to a conditionwhere the electronic device 1 has the floor, the icon 703 in the PTTwidget execution information 700 changes from a white circle to a whitetriangle. Further, the character string 704 displayed in the PTT widgetexecution information 700 changes from “Open” to “Me.”

The PTT widget execution information 700 disappears when display in thedisplay region 2 a is switched from the page screen 300 containing thePTT widget execution information 700 to a different display screen.Meanwhile, as long as PTT conversation is made, display in the displayregion 2 a can be switched to the page screen 300 containing the PTTwidget execution information 700.

In this embodiment, the icon 410 and the character string 420 can beomitted from the device condition notifying region 400.

In the electronic device 1, when the finish button 531 on the PTTconversation screen 500 is operated to finish PTT conversation, theexecuting module 100 a finishes execution of the PTT widget. Inresponse, the PTT widget execution information 700 disappears.

<Redisplay of PTT Conversation Screen>

When a user selects the PTT widget execution information 700 on the pagescreen 300, the PTT conversation screen 500 is redisplayed in thedisplay region 2 a. More specifically, when the detecting module 150detects operation to select the PTT widget execution information 700 onthe page screen 300 such as the tap operation, the display controller100 b switches a display screen on the display panel 120 from the pagescreen 300 to the PTT conversation screen 500. This switches display inthe display region 2 a from the page screen 300 to the PTT conversationscreen 500 to redisplay the PTT conversation screen 500.

Like in the first embodiment, when the PTT button 9 is operated duringthe course of PTT conversation while a display screen other than the PTTconversation screen 500 is displayed in the display region 2 a, the PTTconversation screen 500 is redisplayed in the display region 2 a in thisembodiment.

When an application icon 250 corresponding to the PTT application shownin the display region 2 a is performed the tap operation during thecourse of PTT conversation, the PTT conversation screen 500 isredisplayed in the display region 2 a.

Like in the first embodiment, when information about PTT conversation(FIG. 410 and character string 420) is incorporated into the devicecondition notifying region 400, the PTT conversation screen 500 may bedisplayed in response to the tap operation on the device conditionnotifying region 400. Like in the first embodiment, the notifying screen600 may be displayed in the display region 2 a in response to givenoperation on the device condition notifying region 400. In this case,the PTT conversation screen 500 may be displayed in the display region 2a in response to operation to select the conversation relatinginformation 610 on this notifying screen 600.

<Method of Determining Page Screen where PTT Widget ExecutionInformation is to be Arranged>

As described above, multiple pieces of information (including anapplication icon 250 and widget execution information, for example)cannot be superimposed on each page screen 300 of the home screen. Thus,in the absence of empty space on the page screen 300, the PTT widgetexecution information 700 cannot be arranged on this page screen 300.

In the electronic device 1 of this embodiment, when the detecting module150 detects operation on the home key 5 a, the display controller 100 bdetermines whether the multiple page screens 300 forming the home screeninclude a page screen 300 having empty space available for arrangementof the PTT widget execution information 700 having a given display size(in this example, the PTT widget execution information 700 having adisplay size 2×4). Specifically, the display controller 100 b determineswhether the multiple page screens 300 forming the home screen include apage screen 300 with the second region 320 including a region of a size2×4 or more where information is not present. When there is a pagescreen having such empty space, the display controller 100 b definesthis page screen 300 as an arrangement target page screen 300 where thePTT widget execution information 700 is to be arranged. For display ofthe arrangement target page screen 300 on the display panel 120, thedisplay controller 100 b makes the display panel 120 display thearrangement target page screen 300 containing the PTT widget executioninformation 700. The following describes this behavior of the electronicdevice 1 in detail. In the following description, empty space availablefor arrangement of the PTT widget execution information 700 is simplycalled an “empty space”.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing how the electronic device 1 behaves fromthe time when the home key a is operated for the first time after startof PTT conversation until the time when the page screen 300 containingthe PTT widget execution information 700 is displayed.

After the PTT conversation is started, the PTT conversation screen 500is displayed in the display region 2 a. As shown in FIG. 17, when thedetecting module 150 detects operation on the home key a in step s1, theexecuting module 100 a executes the PTT widget in step s2. Next, in steps3, the display controller 100 b determines whether the multiple pagescreens 300 forming the home screen include a page screen 300 havingempty space.

In step s3, the display controller 100 b checks the first to fifth pagescreens 300 in the order named to determine whether these page screens300 have empty space. Then, the display controller 100 b defines a pagescreen out of the first to fifth page screens 300 as the arrangementtarget page screen 300 having been determined to have empty space first.When the first and second page screens 300 each have empty space, forexample, the first page screen 300 is defined as the arrangement targetpage screen 300. When the third and fifth page screens 300 each haveempty space, for example, the third page screen 300 is defined as thearrangement target page screen 300.

When the presence of the page screen 300 having empty space isdetermined and the arrangement target page screen 300 is decided in steps3, the display controller 100 b generates an arrangement target pagescreen 300 containing the PTT widget execution information 700 in thesecond region 320 in step s4. Then, in step s5, the display controller100 b makes the display panel 120 display the arrangement target pagescreen 300 containing the PTT widget execution information 700 in thesecond region 320. As a result, the arrangement target page screen 300containing the PTT widget execution information 700 in the second region320 is displayed in the display region 2 a.

When determining in step s3 that the first to fifth page screens 300 donot include a page screen 300 having empty space, the display controller100 b adds a new page screen to the home screen and defines this newpage screen as the arrangement target page screen 300 in step s6. Inthis example, a sixth page screen 300 is added to the home screen and isdefined as the arrangement target page screen 300. Next, in step s4, thedisplay controller 100 b generates an arrangement target page screen 300containing the PTT widget execution information 700 in the second region320 (here, sixth page screen 300). Next, in step S5, the displaycontroller 100 b makes the display panel 120 display the arrangementtarget page screen 300 containing the PTT widget execution information700 in the second region 320.

As described above, in response to operation on the home key 5 a, thefirst page screen 300 is displayed first in the display region 2 a inprinciple. However, when the home key 5 a is operated while the PTTconversation screen 500 is displayed, regardless of whether thearrangement target page screen 300 is the first page screen 300 or not,the arrangement target page screen 300 containing the PTT widgetexecution information 700 in the second region 320 is displayed in thedisplay region 2 a by way of exception.

When the PTT conversation screen 500 is displayed in the display region2 a after the page screen 300 containing the PTT widget executioninformation 700 is displayed and the home key 5 a is operatedthereafter, the page screen 300 containing the PTT widget executioninformation 700 is displayed first out of the multiple page screens 300forming the home screen.

Information (application icon 250 or different widget executioninformation) other than the PTT widget execution information 700 can bearranged in the second region 320 of the sixth page screen 300 added tothe home screen.

In the aforementioned one example, the PTT widget is executed after thehome key 5 a is operated during the course of PTT conversation.Alternatively, the PTT widget may be executed when the PTT conversationis started. In this case, step s3 is executed after the home key 5 a isoperated in step s1, and the same subsequent processing is performed inthe electronic device 1.

As described above, determining whether the multiple page screens 300forming the home screen include a page screen 300 having empty space canprevent failing to arrange the PTT widget execution information 700 onthe page screen 300.

Adding a new page screen 300 to the home screen in the absence of a pagescreen 300 having empty space out of the multiple page screens 300forming the home screen can prevent failing to arrange the PTT widgetexecution information 700 further.

<Termination Process of PTT Conversation>

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing how the electronic device 1 behaves atthe time when PTT conversation is finished. As shown in FIG. 18, whenthe detecting module 150 detects operation on the finish button 531 ofthe PTT conversation screen 500 in step s11, the electronic device 1finishes PTT conversation in step s12. Then, in step s13, the executingmodule 100 a finishes executing the PTT widget. This makes the PTTwidget execution information 700 disappear.

Next, in step s14, the display controller 100 b determines whether thereis a page screen 300 (in this example, sixth page screen 300) added tothe home screen for displaying the PTT widget execution information 700on this page screen 300. When determining in step s14 that there is noadditional page screen 300, the display controller 100 b maintainscurrent display on the display panel 120 in step s19. Meanwhile, whendetermining in step s14 that there is an additional page screen 300, thedisplay controller 100 b determines in step s15 whether the additionalpage screen 300 contains information other than the PTT widget executioninformation 700 such as an application icon 250.

When determining in step s15 that the additional page screen 300contains information other than the PTT widget execution information700, the display controller 100 b executes step s19 described above. Asa result, the additional page screen 300 remains as the home screen.Meanwhile, when determining in step s15 that the additional page screen300 does not contain information other than the PTT widget executioninformation 700, the display controller 100 b determines in step s16whether the additional page screen 300 is currently displayed on thedisplay panel 120.

When determining in step s16 that the additional page screen 300 is notdisplayed on the display panel 120, the display controller 100 b deletesthe additional page screen 300 from the home screen in step s18. As aresult, the additional page screen 300 will not appear afterward.Meanwhile, when determining in step s16 that the additional page screen300 is displayed on the display panel 120, the display controller 100 bswitches display on the display panel 120 from the additional pagescreen 300 to the first page screen 300 in step s17. Then, the displaycontroller 100 b executes step s18 to delete the additional page screen300 from the home screen. As a result, the additional page screen 300will not appear afterward.

As described above, in this embodiment, a page screen 300 added to thehome screen for displaying the PTT widget execution information 700 onthis page screen 300 is deleted when PTT conversation is finished. Thiscan prevent a useless page screen 300 from remaining as the home screen.

As described above, in the electronic device 1 of this embodiment, thePTT widget is executed during the course of PTT conversation. While adisplay screen different from the PTT conversation screen 500 isdisplayed, information on the PTT conversation screen 500 isincorporated into this different display screen. Thus, even if a displayscreen different from the PTT conversation screen 500 is displayed, auser can still check information about PTT conversation on the PTTconversation screen 500. This can prevent the user from failing to checkinformation about PTT conversation currently made.

In this embodiment, execution of the PTT widget is finished when PTTconversation is finished. Thus, PTT widget execution information willnot be displayed after the PTT conversation is finished. This canprevent information about PTT conversation from remaining displayedafter this PTT conversation is finished.

In a part of the display region 2 a where the PTT widget executioninformation 700 is to be displayed, a setting button like the settingbutton 534 on the PTT conversation screen 500 may be displayed. Thissetting button is to determine whether a communication function adoptingBluetooth (registered trademark) is to be used for PTT conversation.

<Various Modifications>

<First Modification>

In the aforementioned one example, when the first to fifth page screens300 do not include a page screen 300 having empty space, the displaycontroller 100 b adds a new page screen 300 to the home screen.Alternatively, a new page screen 300 may be added to the home screenregardless of whether the first to fifth page screens 300 include a pagescreen 300 having empty space. Specifically, after step s2 is executed,the display controller 100 b may bypass step s3 and proceed to step s5.Thus, in this case, the PTT widget execution information 700 is alwaysincorporated into a page screen 300 added to the home screen.

<Second Modification>

In the aforementioned one example, when the home key 5 a is operatedwhile the PTT conversation screen 500 is displayed, the page screen 300containing the PTT widget execution information 700 is displayed by wayof exception. Alternatively, regardless of whether the first page screen300 contains the PTT widget execution information 700, the first pagescreen 300 may be displayed according to principles in this case.

<Third Modification>

While a page screen 300 (hereinafter called a “non-target page screen300” in this modification) other than a page screen 300 (hereinaftercalled a “target page screen 300” in this modification) containing thePTT widget execution information 700 is displayed, specifyinginformation 750 may be displayed that specifies the page screen 300containing the PTT widget execution information 700 out of the multiplepage screens 300 forming the home screen.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show examples of display of the specifying information750 in the non-target page screen 300. In the examples of FIGS. 19 and20, the specifying information 750 is indicated by arrows. FIG. 19 showsthe specifying information 750 (left-pointing arrow) displayed in thepresence of the target page screen 300 on the left side of thenon-target page screen 300 displayed in the display region 2 a. FIG. 20shows the specifying information 750 (right-pointing arrow) displayed inthe presence of the target page screen 300 on the right side of thenon-target page screen 300 displayed in the display region 2 a.

As shown in FIG. 19, while the left-pointing arrow is displayed as thespecifying information 750 on the non-target page screen 300, a user whowishes to check the PTT widget execution information 700 performs theslide operation or the flick operation on the display region 2 a to theright to turn to a left page screen 300 to be displayed in the displayregion 2 a. When the target page screen 300 appears in the displayregion 2 a, the user finishes the slide operation or the flick operationand checks the PTT widget execution information 700 on the target pagescreen 300.

As shown in FIG. 20, while the right-pointing arrow is displayed as thespecifying information 750 on the non-target page screen 300, a user whowishes to check the PTT widget execution information 700 performs theslide operation or the flick operation on the display region 2 a to theleft to turn to a right page screen 300 to be displayed in the displayregion 2 a. When the target page screen 300 appears in the displayregion 2 a, the user finishes the slide operation or the flick operationand checks the PTT widget execution information 700 on the target pagescreen 300.

The target page screen 300 may also be displayed in the display region 2a in response to the touch operation on an arrow shown as the specifyinginformation 750 on the non-target page screen 300. This does not requirerepeating the slide operation until the target page screen 300 appears,so that the target page screen 300 can be displayed by simple operation.

The specifying information 750 may be an object other than an arrow. Asan example, the specifying information 750 may be a character string forspecifying the target page screen 300. As a specific example, when apage screen 300 on the left side of the non-target page screen 300displayed in the display region 2 a is the target page screen 300, acharacter string such as “on the left side” is shown as the specifyinginformation 750 on this non-target page screen 300. When a page screen300 on the right side of the non-target page screen 300 displayed in thedisplay region 2 a is the target page screen 300, a character stringsuch as “on the right side” is shown as the specifying information 750on this non-target page screen 300.

The specifying information 750 may be information indicating the numberof times the slide operation should be performed to reach the targetpage screen 300 from the non-target page screen 300 currently displayed.The information indicating the number of times the slide operationshould be performed to reach the target page screen 300 from thenon-target page screen 300 currently displayed may be shown as arrows ofa number same as the number of times the slide operations should beperformed. When a page screen 300 next but one on the right side of thenon-target page screen 300 currently displayed is the target page screen300, for example, two right-pointing arrows are shown in the non-targetpage screen 300 currently displayed. This allows a user to easilyrecognize the location of the target page screen 300 intuitively.

As described above, the specifying information 750 to specify the targetpage screen 300 out of the multiple page screens 300 forming the homescreen is shown in the non-target page screen 300 displayed in thedisplay region 2 a. This allows a user to check the PTT widget executioninformation 700 easily.

<Fourth Modification>

When the multiple page screens 300 forming the home screen do notinclude a page screen 300 having empty space, a display size of the PTTwidget execution information 700 may be reduced without adding a newpage screen 300 to the home screen.

When determining in step s3 mentioned above that the multiple pagescreens 300 forming the home screen do not include a page screen 300having empty space available for arrangement of the PTT widget executioninformation 700 of a size 2×4, the display controller 100 b does notexecute step s5. Instead, the display controller 100 b determineswhether these multiple page screens 300 include a page screen 300(hereinafter called a “page screen 300 available for informationarrangement”) having a region (hereinafter called a “region withoutinformation”) in the second region 320 where information is not present.As an example, the display controller 100 b checks the first to fifthpage screens 300 in the order named to determine whether these pagescreens 300 have a region without information in their second regions320. Then, the display controller 100 b defines a page screen 300available for information arrangement out of the first to fifth pagescreens 300 as an arrangement target page screen 300 having beendetermined first to have the region without information in the secondregion 320. When the third and fifth page screens 300 each have a regionwithout information in the second region 320, for example, the thirdpage screen 300 is defined as the arrangement target page screen 300.When the arrangement target page screen 300 is decided, the displaycontroller 100 b reduces a display size of the PTT widget executioninformation 700 so as to allow arrangement of the PTT widget executioninformation 700 in the region without information in the second region320 of this arrangement target page screen 300. Then, the displaycontroller 100 b arranges the PTT widget execution information 700 inthis region without information. When the size of the region withoutinformation in the second region 320 of the arrangement target pagescreen 300 is 1×4, for example, the display size of the PTT widgetexecution information 700 is changed from 2×4 to 1×4, for example. Then,the PTT widget execution information 700 of a size 1×4 is displayed inthis region without information. When the size of the region withoutinformation in the second region 320 of the arrangement target pagescreen 300 is 1×1, the display size of the PTT widget executioninformation 700 is changed from 2×4 to 1×1. Then, the PTT widgetexecution information 700 of a size 1×1 is displayed in this regionwithout information.

As described above, in this modification, when a page screen 300 doesnot have empty space available for arrangement of the PTT widgetexecution information 700 of a size 2×4, the PTT widget executioninformation 700 of a display size smaller than a size 2×4 isincorporated into this page screen 300. This can prevent failing toarrange the PTT widget execution information 700 on the page screen 300further.

The display controller 100 b may also decide the arrangement target pagescreen 300 as follows.

First, the display controller 100 b determines whether the first pagescreen 300 has empty space in the second region 320 available forarrangement of the PTT widget execution information 700 of a size 2×4.When the second region 320 of the first page screen 300 has such emptyspace, the display controller 100 b defines the first page screen 300 asthe arrangement target page screen 300. When the second region 320 ofthe first page screen 300 does not have such empty space, the displaycontroller 100 b determines whether the second region 320 of the firstpage screen 300 has a region without information. When the second region320 of the first page screen 300 has a region without information,specifically when the first page screen 300 is the page screen 300available for information arrangement, the display controller 100 bdefines the first page screen 300 as the arrangement target page screen300. The display controller 100 b arranges the PTT widget executioninformation 700 of a display size reduced to be smaller than a size 2×4in the region without information in the second region 320 of thearrangement target page screen 300.

When the first page screen 300 is not the page screen 300 available forinformation arrangement, the display controller 100 b determines whetherthe second page screen 300 has empty space available for arrangement ofthe PTT widget execution information 700 of a size 2×4. When the secondregion 320 of the second page screen 300 has such empty space, thedisplay controller 100 b defines the second page screen 300 as thearrangement target page screen 300. When the second region 320 of thesecond page screen 300 does not have such empty space, the displaycontroller 100 b determines whether the second region 320 of the secondpage screen 300 has a region without information. When the second pagescreen 300 is the page screen 300 available for information arrangement,the display controller 100 b defines the second page screen 300 as thearrangement target page screen 300. The display controller 100 barranges the PTT widget execution information 700 of a display sizereduced to be smaller than a size 2×4 in the region without informationin the second region 320 of the arrangement target page screen 300.

When the second page screen 300 is not the page screen 300 available forinformation arrangement, the display controller 100 b determines whetherthe third page screen 300 has empty space available for arrangement ofthe PTT widget execution information 700 of a size 2×4. The displaycontroller 100 b behaves in the same manner for subsequent process.

When the multiple page screens 300 forming the home screen do notinclude the page screen 300 available for information arrangement, a newpage screen 300 may be added to the home screen and the PTT widgetexecution information 700 may be arranged on this new page screen 300.

<Fifth Modification>

Push to talk conversation is given as an example in the foregoingdescription. The foregoing description is further applicable toexecution of a different function.

In the electronic device 1, when the television application is executedand recording of a television program is started, for example, atelevision recording screen containing information about the recordingis displayed. While the television program is recorded, the electronicdevice 1 executes a widget for displaying information on the televisionrecording screen (hereinafter called a “television widget”). As aresult, while a display screen different from the television recordingscreen is displayed, information on this television recording screen isincorporated into a partial region of this different display screen.

In the electronic device 1, when the music reproduction controlapplication is executed and reproduction control of music data isstarted, a music reproduction control screen containing informationabout the reproduction control is displayed. During the course of thereproduction control of music data, the electronic device 1 executes awidget for displaying information on the music reproduction controlscreen (hereinafter called a “music widget”). As a result, while adisplay screen different from the music reproduction control screen isdisplayed, information on this music reproduction control screen isincorporated into a partial region of this different display screen.

In the electronic device 1, when the access point application isexecuted and execution of an access point function for making theelectronic device 1 function as an access point of a wireless LAN isstarted, an access point execution screen containing information aboutthe execution is displayed. While the access point function is executed,the electronic device 1 executes a widget for displaying information onthe access point execution screen (hereinafter called an “access pointwidget”). As a result, while a display screen different from the accesspoint execution screen is displayed, information on this access pointexecution screen is incorporated into a partial region of this differentdisplay screen.

In the electronic device 1, when the wireless LAN application isexecuted and execution of a wireless LAN function for making theelectronic device 1 communicate via an access point of a wireless LAN isstarted, a wireless LAN execution screen containing information aboutthe execution is displayed. While the wireless LAN function is executed,the electronic device 1 executes a widget for displaying information onthe wireless LAN execution screen (hereinafter called a “wireless LANwidget”). As a result, while a display screen different from thewireless LAN execution screen is displayed, information on this wirelessLAN execution screen is incorporated into a partial region of thisdifferent display screen.

FIG. 21 shows television widget execution information 800 arranged onsome page screen 300 of the home screen. FIG. 22 shows music widgetexecution information 810 arranged on some page screen 300 of the homescreen. FIG. 23 shows access point widget execution information 820arranged on some page screen 300 of the home screen.

FIG. 24 shows wireless LAN widget execution information 830 arranged onsome page screen 300 of the home screen.

The television widget execution information 800 includes information onthe television recording screen. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 21,the television widget execution information 800 includes a name 801 of arecorded program, a thumbnail image 802 of the recorded program, and achannel 803 broadcasting the recorded program, for example. Thetelevision widget execution information 800 further includes an airtime804 for the recorded program and a time 805 available for recording.

The music widget execution information 810 includes information on themusic reproduction control screen. More specifically, as shown in FIG.22, the music widget execution information 810 includes a title 811 ofreproduced music (title of a reproduced music composition), an artistname 812 relating to the reproduced music, an album title 813 of thereproduced music, and a photograph image 814 of an album jacket of thereproduced music, for example. The music widget execution information810 further includes a total reproduction time 815 of the reproducedmusic and a reproduction elapsed time 816 of the reproduced music. Inthe display region 2 a, a music reproduction control button 817 appearsin a part where the music widget execution information 810 is displayed.The access point widget execution information 820 includes informationon the access point execution screen. More specifically, as shown inFIG. 23, the access point widget execution information 820 includes anSSID (service set identifier) 821 of the electronic device 1, acommunication speed 822, and a remaining lifetime 823 of the battery210, for example. The access point widget execution information 820further includes an icon (FIG. 824 indicating the intensity of a radiowave transmitted from the electronic device 1, and the number 825 ofdevices connected to the electronic device 1 functioning as an accesspoint.

The wireless LAN widget execution information 830 includes informationon the wireless LAN execution screen. More specifically, as shown inFIG. 24, the wireless LAN widget execution information 830 includes anSSID 831 of an access point to which the electronic device 1 isconnected, a communication speed 832, and a remaining lifetime 833 ofthe battery 210, for example. The wireless LAN widget executioninformation 830 further includes an icon (FIG. 834 indicating theintensity of a radio wave the electronic device 1 receives from theaccess point.

As described above, while a function different from PTT conversation isexecuted, a widget may also be executed. While a display screendifferent from an execution screen containing information aboutexecution of this function is displayed, the information on thisexecution screen may be incorporated into a partial region of thisdifferent display screen. This can prevent a user from failing to checkinformation about execution of a function different from PTTconversation while this different function is executed.

In the aforementioned one example, the present disclosure is applied toa mobile phone. Alternatively, the present disclosure is applicable toan electronic device other than a mobile phone.

While the electronic device 1 has been described in detail, theforegoing description is in all aspects illustrative and does notrestrict the present disclosure. The various examples described abovecan be applied in combination as long as they do not contradict eachother. It is understood that numerous modifications not illustrated canbe devised without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

1. An electronic device, comprising: an executing module configured toexecute a program; a display module configured to display information;and a display controller configured to control the display module,wherein the display controller makes the display module display a firstdisplay screen containing information about execution of a certainfunction while the electronic device executes the certain function, theexecuting module starts execution of a widget for making the displaymodule display information included in the first display screen whilethe certain function is executed and thereafter when execution of thecertain function is finished, the executing module finishes execution ofthe widget, and when said display controller makes the display moduledisplay a display screen different from the first display screen whilethe widget is executed, the display controller incorporates widgetexecution information into a partial region of the different displayscreen based on execution of said widget, the widget executioninformation including at least part of the information on the firstdisplay screen.
 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, furthercomprising a detecting module configured to detect operation on theelectronic device, wherein when the detecting module detects operationto select the widget execution information while the display moduledisplays a display screen containing the widget execution information,the display controller makes the display module display the firstdisplay screen.
 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, whereinwhen the display controller makes the display module display a displayscreen to contain the widget execution information, the displaycontroller incorporates the widget execution information into thedisplay screen such that the widget execution information is notsuperimposed on different information on the display screen.
 4. Theelectronic device according to claim 3, further comprising a detectingmodule to detect operation on the electronic device, wherein when thedetecting module detects first operation to instruct display of a seconddisplay screen formed of multiple screens, the display controller makesthe display module display a screen out of the multiple screens andthen, in response to screen switching operation about the second displayscreen, switches a screen between the multiple screens in turn and makesthe display module display the switched screen, when the detectingmodule detects the first operation while the certain function isexecuted, the display controller determines whether the multiple screensinclude a screen having empty space available for arrangement of thewidget execution information, and when there is the screen having theempty space, the display controller incorporates the widget executioninformation into a partial region of the screen having the empty space.5. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein when the multiplescreens do not include the screen having the empty space available forarrangement of the widget execution information, the display controlleradds a new screen to the second display screen and incorporates thewidget execution information into a partial region of the new screen. 6.The electronic device according to claim 3, further comprising adetecting module to detect operation on the electronic device, whereinwhen the detecting module detects first operation to instruct display ofa second display screen formed of multiple screens, the displaycontroller makes the display module display a screen out of the multiplescreens and then, in response to screen switching operation on thesecond display screen, switches a screen between the multiple displayscreens in turn and makes the display module display the switchedscreen, and when the detecting module detects the first operation whilethe certain function is executed, the display controller adds a newscreen to the second display screen and incorporates the widgetexecution information into a partial region of the new screen.
 7. Theelectronic device according to claim 5, wherein when execution of thecertain function is finished after the new screen is added to the seconddisplay screen, the display controller deletes the new screen from thesecond display screen.
 8. The electronic device according to claim 6,wherein when execution of the certain function is finished after the newscreen is added to the second display screen, the display controllerdeletes the new screen from the second display screen.
 9. The electronicdevice according to claim 4, wherein when the detecting module detectsthe first operation while the certain function is executed, the displaycontroller makes the display module display a screen containing thewidget execution information out of the multiple screens.
 10. Theelectronic device according to claim 6, wherein when the detectingmodule detects the first operation while the certain function isexecuted, the display controller makes the display module display ascreen containing the widget execution information out of the multiplescreens.
 11. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein In thecase that the display controller makes the display module display adisplay screen which contains the widget execution information, when thedisplay screen has empty space available for arrangement of the widgetexecution information of a first display size, the display controllermakes the display module display the display screen containing thewidget execution information of the first display size, and when thedisplay screen does not have the empty space, the display controllermakes the display module display the display screen containing thewidget execution information of a second display size smaller than thefirst display size.
 12. The electronic device according to claim 4,wherein when the display controller makes the display module display ascreen not containing the widget execution information out of themultiple screens, the display controller incorporates, into the screennot containing the widget execution information, information forspecifying a screen containing the widget execution information out ofthe multiple screens.
 13. The electronic device according to claim 6,wherein when the display controller makes the display module display ascreen not containing the widget execution information out of themultiple screens, the display controller incorporates, into the screennot containing the widget execution information, information forspecifying a screen containing the widget execution information out ofthe multiple screens.
 14. The electronic device according to claim 1,wherein the certain function is one of conversation using push to talk,recording of a television program, reproduction control of music data,making the electronic device function as an access point of a wirelessLAN, and making the electronic device communicate via an access point ofa wireless LAN.
 15. The electronic device according to claim 14, whereinthe certain function is conversation using push to talk, and the widgetexecution information includes at least one of information forspecifying a conversation partner of the electronic device in theconversation, an image associated with the conversation partner, acurrent condition of the floor in the conversation, information forspecifying a person currently having the floor in the conversation, anda duration of the conversation.
 16. A non-transitory computer-readablerecording medium configured to store a control program configured tocontrol an electronic device, the control program configured to make theelectronic device execute the steps of: (a) displaying a first displayscreen containing information about a certain function while the certainfunction is executed; (b) starting execution of a widget for displayinginformation included the first display screen while the certain functionis executed and thereafter when execution of the certain function isfinished, finishing execution of the widget, and (c) incorporatingwidget execution information into a partial region of a display screendifferent from the first display screen based on execution of the widgetwhen the different display screen is displayed while the widget isexecuted, the widget execution information including at least part ofthe information on the first display screen.
 17. A method of performingprocess at an electronic device, comprising the steps of: (a) displayinga first display screen containing information about a certain functionwhile the certain function is executed; (b) starting execution of awidget for displaying information included the first display screenwhile the certain function is executed and thereafter when execution ofthe certain function is finished, finishing execution of the widget, and(c) incorporating widget execution information into a partial region ofa display screen different from the first display screen based onexecution of the widget when the different display screen is displayedwhile the widget is executed, the widget execution information includingat least part of the information on the first display screen.